Budding Botanist Activities To Support Our Local Birds

By: Michelle Cyr, Youth and Family Programs Manager

How Can We Provide Habitat and Support For The Native Birds of Our Region?

While growing native plants is the most ideal method, there are other ways we can support birds — and encourage them to visit our homes. Try out one or several of these DIY crafts to build more habitat for your neighborhood birds.

DIY Birdbath

Birdbaths provide water for drinking and a place for birds to clean themselves of dirt and pests. To reduce the spread of diseases between birds, be sure to clean your bath often. Recycle a tomato cage from last year’s harvest to create your own DIY birdbath with these simple steps.

Materials

• 1 tomato cage (approximately 33" diameter)

• 1 saucer (approximately 12" diameter)

Directions

• Insert your tomato cage into the ground, pushing it as far down as it will go or until the first ring of the cage

• Wedge your saucer into the top ring of your tomato cage so that the saucer creates a small bowl at the top of your cage

• Adjust your saucer or cage until the saucer is level

• Add water to your saucer

Nest Ball

Nest balls provide birds with a convenient supply of nesting materials. Nest balls can be created with any meshed item that can hold pieces of fiber and allow birds to easily access materials. Avoid stuffing your nest balls with synthetic materials that may contain harmful chemicals.

Materials

• 1 mesh bag, grapevine ball, or similar material

• Supply of miscellaneous fiber (e.g., 3" to 6" cloth strips, string, hair/fur, grass clippings, tiny twigs, cotton balls, etc.)

• String or wire to hang nest ball

Directions

• Stuff fibrous material inside mesh container, weaving material through the mesh to allow birds quick, easy access to the nesting material.

• After you’ve stuffed your nest ball, tie string or weave wire through the ball to create a loop and hang it outside.

Fruit Garland Feeder

Create this temporary bird feeder to help supply birds with extra energy throughout the year. Bird feeders can be a great way to keep our local birds fed during the months when food may not be as available.

Materials

• Heavy thread or wire

• Sewing needle or tooth pick

• Fruit pieces cut into slices and/or wedges

Directions

• Decide on the length of your feeder and cut a long piece of either heavy thread or wire. Close one end by creating a thick knot or bending the wire into a loop on the bottom.

• If you are using a sewing needle and thread, thread the string through your needle and use the needle to skewer each fruit piece until you have a long chain of fruit. If you are using a tooth pick, poke a small hole through each piece of fruit before threading it with your string or wire.

• Close off the other end of your garland by creating another thick knot or loop

• Attach your garland to a hanger, tree, or post

Want to learn more about how to support our local birds?

Check out Scot Pipkin’s article, “Plant with Purpose: Attract and Delight Feathered Friends,” in this issue or visit Audubon.org/native-plants.